Scrublands is an Australian drama series for Stan, released on 16 November 2023, produced by Easy Tiger and based on the novel written by Chris Hammer. The series follows journalist Martin Scarsden, who is following what he believed to be a simple story on the town on the anniversary of a town tragedy, with nothing as it seems, Martin digs deep to reveal the truth behind what happened. A second series of Scrublands was announced in March 2024.
| Scrublands | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Drama |
| Based on | Scrublands (novel) by Chris Hammer |
| Directed by | Greg McLean
|
| Starring |
|
| Country of origin | Australia |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 4 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Producers |
|
| Production company | Easy Tiger Productions
|
| Original release | |
| Network | Stan |
| Release | 16 November 2023 – present |
Plot
editA small isolated town is rocked by tragedy after a local priest shoots dead five parishioners, as the town continues to grieve Martin Scardsen a journalist finds himself in the small town in what he thinks would be a simple story about the tragedy but what unfolds in finding out the truth will push Martin to his limits.[1]
Cast
edit- Luke Arnold as Martin Scarsden (Series 1 & 2)
- Bella Heathcote as Mandy Bond (Series 1 & 2)
Series 1 (Scrublands)
edit- Sarah Roberts as Beth Ramachandaran
- Toby Truslove as Doug Monkton
- Jay Ryan as Bryon Swift
- Robert Taylor as Harley Regean
- Martin Copping as Craig Landers
- Adam Zwar as Robbie Haws-Jones
Series 2 (Scrublands: Sliver)
editSeries two cast were named when the series was renewed on 5 June 2024, with Arnold and Heathcote both reprising their roles from the first series.[2]
- Debra Lawrance
- Luke Caroll
- David Roberts
- Luke Pegler
- Joel Jackson
- Hamish Michael as Jasper
- Caroline Brazier
- Damian de Montemas
- Megan Hollier as Keira
Episodes
editSeries 1 (2023)
edit| No. In Series | Title | Directed by | Written by | Air date | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Episode 1 | Greg McLean | Felicity Packard | 16 November 2023 | [3] |
| 2 | Episode 2 | Kelsey Munro | |||
| 3 | Episode 3 | Jock Serong | |||
| 4 | Episode 4 | Felicity Packard |
Production
editThe series is based on the novel written by Chris Hammer. Production of the series was announced on 27 February 2023 as a joint filming commission between Stan and the Nine Network, with filming taking place in Victoria.[1] Luke Arnold, Bella Heathcote, and Jay Ryan were cast in the lead roles. Greg McLean directed the series, with Felicity Packard, Kelsey Munro, and Jock Serong as writers.[4][5] Series 1 was produced by Easy Tiger.
BBC acquired the rights to air the show in the UK.[6] US broadcaster AMC announced in April 2024 that it had acquired the rights for the series.[7]
In March 2024 a second series was announced.[8][9] In June 2024, it was announced that filming would be moving from Victoria to Western Australia.[10][11]
Release
editSeason 1 of the series was released on Stan on 16 November 2023,[12][13] and was aired on BBC Four in the UK in the same month,[14] it also aired on AMC from 2 May 2024.[7]
Reception
editLuke Buckmaster of The Guardian rated the series 4 stars, saying the story can be a "bit pulpy", but that it was a rock solid addition to "rural noir".[15]
David Knox of TV Tonight also rated the series 4 stars. Knox said that while the four episodes make for a slow burn, it remained engaging with the cast and story.[16]
References
edit- ^ a b Knox, David (27 February 2023). "Scrublands, new drama underway for Stan. | TV Tonight". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
- ^ Slatter, Sean (4 June 2024). "Luke Carroll, Debra Lawrance, David Roberts head west for 'Scrublands: Silver'". IF Magazine. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
- ^ "Scrublands | Now Streaming | A Stan Original Series". Stan. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
- ^ Whittock, Jesse (26 February 2023). "'Scrublands': Luke Arnold, Bella Heathcote & Jay Ryan To Lead Stan And Nine Network Drama Series Based On Chris Hammer Novel". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
- ^ "Scrublands filming begins!". Deadline Hollywood. 8 March 2023. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
- ^ Knox, David (5 September 2023). "BBC acquires Stan drama, Scrublands. | TV Tonight". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
- ^ a b Staff Writer (8 April 2024). "Gritty and Gripping Australian Crime Drama, Scrublands, Premieres Thursday, May 2 on Sundance Now and AMC+". Retrieved 24 October 2024.
- ^ Knox, David (12 March 2024). "Stan unveils bumper Originals slate". TV Tonight. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ "Scrublands: Silver (2024)". Screen Australia. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
- ^ Knox, David (5 June 2024). "Filming underway on Scrublands: Silver | TV Tonight". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
- ^ Frater, Patrick (5 June 2024). "'Scrublands,' Australian Hit Series Starring Bella Heathcote and Luke Arnold, Renewed for Second Season". Variety. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
- ^ "Scrublands". Australian Television Information Archive. 30 October 1998. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
- ^ Knox, David (4 October 2023). "Airdate: Scrublands | TV Tonight". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
- ^ "BBC acquires new Australian crime thriller Scrublands". BBC Media Centre. 4 September 2023. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
- ^ Buckmaster, Luke (23 November 2023). "Scrublands review – Chris Hammer adaptation is a rock solid addition to Australian rural noir". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
- ^ Knox, David (16 November 2023). "Scrublands | TV Tonight". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
External links
edit- Scrublands at IMDb